THE EDITORIAL TEAM

Former teacher of pupils with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties and special school Headteacher.

Annie has been the main advocate for her brother (with profound and multiple learning disabilities) for almost 20 years. Retired from a long career as a practitioner and university lecturer in the special education and learning disability field. She is a member of Advisory Groups for the national Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) programme and NHS England Seldom Heard Voices project and has a role as a family associate with Dimensions, a social care provider. Annie was one of the team who developed the PMLD Standards.

Michael is Director of Health & Wellbeing with Achieve Together, a social care provider supporting adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Michael is a registered learning disability nurse and leads a health team focused on the quality of life of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Michael was one of the team who developed the PMLD Standards.

Martin is a teacher of pupils with PMLD and a Regional Tutor/Visiting Lecturer for the Severe and Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities course at the University of Birmingham. Martin has specialised in approaches to improve interaction, communication and participation of people with severe and profound learning disabilities. Martin has experience of working in play and leisure, education, residential and advocacy.

Lecturer in Social Work, Goldsmiths, University of London and a Senior Social Worker at Buckinghamshire Council. Rachel has a long-standing interest in the support of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Becky has supported people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families for almost 30 years. She currently works an independent advocate, an involvement worker and a LeDeR Reviewer for the Learning Disability Mortality Review and uses creative communication approaches and sensory storytelling throughout her different roles. Becky is a member of the Advisory Group for the NHS England Seldom Heard Voices project.

Headteacher at The Shrubberies School, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. This is a school for students with Severe and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.

Maureen is the Senior Family Support and Development Director for the Scottish charity PAMIS (promoting a more inclusive society). This wide and varied position means she works in partnership with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities to support communities to recognise that people with profound and multiple learning disabilities are the best educators, as they teach us what it is to be human.

Sue Thurman is a former speech and language therapist who has worked in statutory and voluntary services for both children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities for many years and remains passionate about promoting their value and inclusion in society.

Now a policy manager at Mencap, Bella was part of Mencap’s former national PMLD Team. She was involved in campaigns and developing key publications and resources including the ‘Raising Our Sights’ How-to guide series. More recently she worked with Ann Fergusson on a joint-produced hospital resource for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Bella helped co-produce the PMLD Standards.